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*''System Established: [[1884]]''
*''Japanese'': 国宝 ''(kokuhou)''
Japan maintains several hierarchies or systems of designating objects, structures, and sites as being of cultural or historical importance. Those considered to be of the greatest importance are dubbed National Treasures. National Treasures cannot be exported, and are only loaned overseas on very rare occasions.
A select few individuals considered to be of exceptional prominence or importance in maintaining cultural traditions are named [[Living National Treasures]].
==History==
The system was established in [[1884]], in the [[Meiji period]], in conjunction with efforts to create a systematized set of "national" traditions, and a national narrative of Japan's history, comparable to those possessed by "modern" nation-states in the West. The first object to be designated a National Treasure was a 7th century statue of [[Miroku]] held at [[Koryu-ji|Kôryû-ji]] in Kyoto.
The Japanese government, which held Korea as a colony from [[1910]]-1945, also compiled a list of "National Treasures of Korea." The Republic of Korea (aka South Korea) today retains that list, with numerous post-independence additions.
Up until 1932, the only buildings that could be designated National Treasures were [[Buddhist temples]] and [[Shinto shrines]].<ref>Loo, Tze M. “Shuri Castle’s Other History: Architecture and Empire in Okinawa.” ''The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus'' 41 (12 Oct 2009).</ref> This was then modified to allow Japanese castles and other sites of historical importance to be added to the category.
Many National Treasures were sadly damaged or destroyed by Allied bombing, or otherwise, during World War II. Prior to that, there were 1,058 sites in Japan designated as National Treasures, incorporating 1,729 buildings.<ref name=okinawa>Suzuki Kakichi, Miyamoto Chôjirô and Ushikawa Yoshiyuki. "Ryûkyûan Architecture: Its History and Features." in ''Okinawa bijutsu zenshû'' 沖縄美術全集. vol. 5. Okinawa Times, 1989.</ref>
New legislation in 1950 divided the category of National Treasures into National Treasures and [[Important Cultural Properties]], a prestigious but lower-ranking category.
==List of National Treasures==
===Paintings & Calligraphy===
*[[Daitoku-ji]], [[Kyoto]]:
**[[Mu Qi]] ink triptych ([[Kannon]], crane, monkeys)
**''[[Fusuma]]'' paintings by [[Kano Eitoku|Kanô Eitoku]] and [[Kano Tanyu|Kanô Tan'yû]]
**Daitoku-ji [[Shinju-an]] - various paintings, works of calligraphy, etc. including works of calligraphy by [[Daito Kokushi|Daitô Kokushi]].
*Eingakyô illustrated [[sutra]] scroll ([[Jobonrendaiji|Jôbonrendaiji]], Kyoto)
===Sculptures===
*[[Byodo-in|Byôdô-in]] ([[Uji]], [[Kyoto prefecture]]): [[Amida]] statue by [[Jocho|Jôchô]] ([[1053]]), along with other sculptures and artifacts on site
*[[Kofuku-ji|Kôfuku-ji]] ([[Nara]]):
**''Jûdaideshi'' ([[Ten Great Disciples]]) sculptures, [[dry lacquer]], [[734]]
**''Hachibushû'' ([[Eight Legions]]) sculptures, including [[Ashura]], dry lacquer, 734
*[[Kamakura Daibutsu]] ([[Koto-in|Kôtô-in]], [[Kamakura]]) - constructed 1252
*Kôryû-ji (Kyoto) - 7th century Miroku statue in Korean style (possibly made in Korea) - first object to be designated a National Treasure
===Shrines===
*[[Kitano Tenmangu|Kitano Tenmangû]] (Kyoto) - ''haiden'' and ''honden'', built [[1607]]
===Swords===
''(See [[Famous Samurai Swords]] for a list of notable swords, including many National Treasures not listed here.)''
===Temples===
*Daitoku-ji (Kyoto):
**[[Daisen-in]] ''[[hojo|hôjô]]'' (abbot's quarters) - built [[1513]]; oldest ''hôjô'' in Japan
**''Karamon'' gate - possibly from [[Jurakudai]]
*[[Engaku-ji]] (Kamakura): ''Shariden'' - the oldest example in Japan of multi-storied, three-bayed, ''[[irimoya]]'' Chinese-style architecture
*[[Ginkaku-ji]] (Kyoto): Silver Pavilion ([[1489]]) and Tôgûdô (1486)
*[[Myotsu-ji|Myôtsû-ji]] ([[Obama]], [[Fukui prefecture]]) - ''hondô'' and three-story pagoda
*Kôfuku-ji (Nara):
**Three-storied pagoda
**five-storied pagoda
**Eastern Golden Hall
**Northern Octagonal Hall
*[[Ujigami Shrine]] ''haiden'' (main worship hall) - early [[Kamakura period]], example of ''[[shinden-zukuri]]'' architecture
===Temple Bells===
*Engaku-ji (Kamakura): temple bell
*[[Kanzeon-ji]] ([[Dazaifu]], [[Fukuoka prefecture]]): temple bell - one of the oldest in the country
*[[Kencho-ji|Kenchô-ji]] (Kamakura): temple bell - cast [[1255]]
===Other===
*Engaku-ji (Kamakura) - Buddhist relics
===Destroyed Former National Treasures===
''(See also [[National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties in Okinawa]])''
*[[Engaku-ji (Okinawa)|Engaku-ji]] - named a National Treasure in 1933; destroyed in 1945. Rebuilt gates and bridge named Important Cultural Property in 1975.
*[[Naminoue Shrine]] temple bell - cast [[956]], named National Treasure [[1907]]; destroyed 1945.
*[[Shuri castle]] - named a National Treasure c. 1925; destroyed 1945.
*[[Sogen-ji|Sôgen-ji]] - named a National Treasure in 1933; destroyed 1945.
{{stub}}
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Meiji Period]]
[[Category:Art and Architecture]]
*''Japanese'': 国宝 ''(kokuhou)''
Japan maintains several hierarchies or systems of designating objects, structures, and sites as being of cultural or historical importance. Those considered to be of the greatest importance are dubbed National Treasures. National Treasures cannot be exported, and are only loaned overseas on very rare occasions.
A select few individuals considered to be of exceptional prominence or importance in maintaining cultural traditions are named [[Living National Treasures]].
==History==
The system was established in [[1884]], in the [[Meiji period]], in conjunction with efforts to create a systematized set of "national" traditions, and a national narrative of Japan's history, comparable to those possessed by "modern" nation-states in the West. The first object to be designated a National Treasure was a 7th century statue of [[Miroku]] held at [[Koryu-ji|Kôryû-ji]] in Kyoto.
The Japanese government, which held Korea as a colony from [[1910]]-1945, also compiled a list of "National Treasures of Korea." The Republic of Korea (aka South Korea) today retains that list, with numerous post-independence additions.
Up until 1932, the only buildings that could be designated National Treasures were [[Buddhist temples]] and [[Shinto shrines]].<ref>Loo, Tze M. “Shuri Castle’s Other History: Architecture and Empire in Okinawa.” ''The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus'' 41 (12 Oct 2009).</ref> This was then modified to allow Japanese castles and other sites of historical importance to be added to the category.
Many National Treasures were sadly damaged or destroyed by Allied bombing, or otherwise, during World War II. Prior to that, there were 1,058 sites in Japan designated as National Treasures, incorporating 1,729 buildings.<ref name=okinawa>Suzuki Kakichi, Miyamoto Chôjirô and Ushikawa Yoshiyuki. "Ryûkyûan Architecture: Its History and Features." in ''Okinawa bijutsu zenshû'' 沖縄美術全集. vol. 5. Okinawa Times, 1989.</ref>
New legislation in 1950 divided the category of National Treasures into National Treasures and [[Important Cultural Properties]], a prestigious but lower-ranking category.
==List of National Treasures==
===Paintings & Calligraphy===
*[[Daitoku-ji]], [[Kyoto]]:
**[[Mu Qi]] ink triptych ([[Kannon]], crane, monkeys)
**''[[Fusuma]]'' paintings by [[Kano Eitoku|Kanô Eitoku]] and [[Kano Tanyu|Kanô Tan'yû]]
**Daitoku-ji [[Shinju-an]] - various paintings, works of calligraphy, etc. including works of calligraphy by [[Daito Kokushi|Daitô Kokushi]].
*Eingakyô illustrated [[sutra]] scroll ([[Jobonrendaiji|Jôbonrendaiji]], Kyoto)
===Sculptures===
*[[Byodo-in|Byôdô-in]] ([[Uji]], [[Kyoto prefecture]]): [[Amida]] statue by [[Jocho|Jôchô]] ([[1053]]), along with other sculptures and artifacts on site
*[[Kofuku-ji|Kôfuku-ji]] ([[Nara]]):
**''Jûdaideshi'' ([[Ten Great Disciples]]) sculptures, [[dry lacquer]], [[734]]
**''Hachibushû'' ([[Eight Legions]]) sculptures, including [[Ashura]], dry lacquer, 734
*[[Kamakura Daibutsu]] ([[Koto-in|Kôtô-in]], [[Kamakura]]) - constructed 1252
*Kôryû-ji (Kyoto) - 7th century Miroku statue in Korean style (possibly made in Korea) - first object to be designated a National Treasure
===Shrines===
*[[Kitano Tenmangu|Kitano Tenmangû]] (Kyoto) - ''haiden'' and ''honden'', built [[1607]]
===Swords===
''(See [[Famous Samurai Swords]] for a list of notable swords, including many National Treasures not listed here.)''
===Temples===
*Daitoku-ji (Kyoto):
**[[Daisen-in]] ''[[hojo|hôjô]]'' (abbot's quarters) - built [[1513]]; oldest ''hôjô'' in Japan
**''Karamon'' gate - possibly from [[Jurakudai]]
*[[Engaku-ji]] (Kamakura): ''Shariden'' - the oldest example in Japan of multi-storied, three-bayed, ''[[irimoya]]'' Chinese-style architecture
*[[Ginkaku-ji]] (Kyoto): Silver Pavilion ([[1489]]) and Tôgûdô (1486)
*[[Myotsu-ji|Myôtsû-ji]] ([[Obama]], [[Fukui prefecture]]) - ''hondô'' and three-story pagoda
*Kôfuku-ji (Nara):
**Three-storied pagoda
**five-storied pagoda
**Eastern Golden Hall
**Northern Octagonal Hall
*[[Ujigami Shrine]] ''haiden'' (main worship hall) - early [[Kamakura period]], example of ''[[shinden-zukuri]]'' architecture
===Temple Bells===
*Engaku-ji (Kamakura): temple bell
*[[Kanzeon-ji]] ([[Dazaifu]], [[Fukuoka prefecture]]): temple bell - one of the oldest in the country
*[[Kencho-ji|Kenchô-ji]] (Kamakura): temple bell - cast [[1255]]
===Other===
*Engaku-ji (Kamakura) - Buddhist relics
===Destroyed Former National Treasures===
''(See also [[National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties in Okinawa]])''
*[[Engaku-ji (Okinawa)|Engaku-ji]] - named a National Treasure in 1933; destroyed in 1945. Rebuilt gates and bridge named Important Cultural Property in 1975.
*[[Naminoue Shrine]] temple bell - cast [[956]], named National Treasure [[1907]]; destroyed 1945.
*[[Shuri castle]] - named a National Treasure c. 1925; destroyed 1945.
*[[Sogen-ji|Sôgen-ji]] - named a National Treasure in 1933; destroyed 1945.
{{stub}}
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Meiji Period]]
[[Category:Art and Architecture]]
